How To write 11 sentences on anything?
Posted 05-20-2012 at 07:17 AM by hebsgaard
I just read a tweet from someone who had to write 11 sentence on the weather. She was despairing. Didn't have a clue what to do. What do you do?
Well, it's no secret that I love writing. I love everything about it. I love the sound the keyboard makes when I'm typing. I love to let my mind go and just pounce the keyboard. Sometimes, that's all it takes.
Sometimes all you have to do is start writing and hope the inspiration comes to you naturally. That works for me...sometimes.
But what do you do when that doesn't cut it?
Well, there are methods. I like to use structure to get around the problem. The simplest structure I know. I simply type the points I want to make. Those will be sub-headlines. What I do then is explain each of the points I'm trying to get across. 4-6 sentence is usually enough.
Introduce the point. Explain the point in generic terms. Explain specific element about the point. Explain another specific element about the point. Relate the point to the next point (I believe that is called bridging).
I do the above for each of my points and end up with a handful of paragraphs. I add an introduction and a concluding paragraph and presto! I have 4-800 words on a specific topic.
However, my favorite way to write these days is through stories. I like to relate the topic of my writing to something personal. I believe it creates a greater bond with my reader. We build a rapport. We all know how to tell stories. We all do it every single day. When you get home from work you tell your spouse how your day went. By doing that you're basically telling a story.
If you just relayed bare, boring facts she definitely wouldn't listen. Sometimes, from a males perspective, I do have to say that some women have a tendency to add too much detail to the story :-) Coming home from work most men just want to kick back, listening to a 30 minute story about how you accidentally picked up the wrong coffee at Star Bucks might not be what he is looking for. Sorry if this offends anybody :-) Now. Let's not turn this into a relationship piece, it just had to be said!
In the end though, I feel stories are better at captivating readers than anything else. How does that help our dear tweeter?
I would ask her what stories she has about the weather that she can use. I'm certain she will come up with a story that will allow her to easily write 11 sentences about the weather.
If you're a blogger and looking for more tips you can use on your blog check out The Essential Blogging Checklist now and take your blogging to the next level!
Well, it's no secret that I love writing. I love everything about it. I love the sound the keyboard makes when I'm typing. I love to let my mind go and just pounce the keyboard. Sometimes, that's all it takes.
Sometimes all you have to do is start writing and hope the inspiration comes to you naturally. That works for me...sometimes.
But what do you do when that doesn't cut it?
Well, there are methods. I like to use structure to get around the problem. The simplest structure I know. I simply type the points I want to make. Those will be sub-headlines. What I do then is explain each of the points I'm trying to get across. 4-6 sentence is usually enough.
Introduce the point. Explain the point in generic terms. Explain specific element about the point. Explain another specific element about the point. Relate the point to the next point (I believe that is called bridging).
I do the above for each of my points and end up with a handful of paragraphs. I add an introduction and a concluding paragraph and presto! I have 4-800 words on a specific topic.
However, my favorite way to write these days is through stories. I like to relate the topic of my writing to something personal. I believe it creates a greater bond with my reader. We build a rapport. We all know how to tell stories. We all do it every single day. When you get home from work you tell your spouse how your day went. By doing that you're basically telling a story.
If you just relayed bare, boring facts she definitely wouldn't listen. Sometimes, from a males perspective, I do have to say that some women have a tendency to add too much detail to the story :-) Coming home from work most men just want to kick back, listening to a 30 minute story about how you accidentally picked up the wrong coffee at Star Bucks might not be what he is looking for. Sorry if this offends anybody :-) Now. Let's not turn this into a relationship piece, it just had to be said!
In the end though, I feel stories are better at captivating readers than anything else. How does that help our dear tweeter?
I would ask her what stories she has about the weather that she can use. I'm certain she will come up with a story that will allow her to easily write 11 sentences about the weather.
If you're a blogger and looking for more tips you can use on your blog check out The Essential Blogging Checklist now and take your blogging to the next level!
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